RULES & REGULATIONS

Overview

For the convenience of our members and guest, we are making available the rules and regulations for USGA and UCFGA online. Our goal is to help educate our members and provide quick reference to the rules of the game.

Rules of Golf – Approved by R&A Rules Limited and United States Golf Association

All UCFGA tournaments are subject to the USGA Rules of Golf with a few exceptions. These are local UCFGA rules to assist with pace of play and, in general, make the golf more enjoyable and less punishing. Let’s review these exceptions.

Mulligans - UCFGA Rule #1

A mulligan is a do-over of a poor golf stroke. Players receive one (1) mulligan per round at any UCFGA event, and it may be used anywhere at any time during a round. If the use of a mulligan is declared, however, then that mulligan is counted as the player’s golf stroke. A player may no longer use the original played ball. There is one exception, which will help maintain pace of play. If a shot appears to have gone near or out-of-bounds, a player may hit a ‘provisional mulligan’. If the original shot is found to be in play and the player chooses to play the ball, the mulligan will be considered unused which enables the player to use the mulligan for a future shot. Players have the option to use their one mulligan regardless of whether the ball is in or out of bounds. If the mulligan was previously used during the round, then follow normal UCFGA rules (see No Loss of Distance). Mulligans are never transferrable to other players.

Movement of Ball in the Fairway - UCFGA Rule #2 (Updated 12/9/2017)

At times, players may experience poor conditions on the course due to either poor course management or player negligence. If a player deems his lie unfavorable, the ball may be moved a maximum of 6 inches anywhere on the course but no closer to the hole. Movement of the ball is for lie improvement only. If you’re on the edge of the rough, hazard or out of bounds, you must maintain that ball position. You cannot move the ball in-bounds, out of the hazard, out of a bunker or from the rough to the fairway. Golf balls that are plugged on the course may be marked, lifted, cleaned and replaced within the distance as described above with no penalty. Additionally, if mud or another type of debris is on the ball, it may be marked, lifted, cleaned and replaced within the distance as described above with no penalty.

No Loss of Distance - UCFGA Rule #3

If a ball is struck out of bounds, a player may go to the point where the ball went out and take a drop with a one (1) penalty stroke. A player may also opt to use their only mulligan, if still available, instead of taking advantage of this rule, but must return to the original location of the previous shot to play their mulligan. Use of a provisional mulligan, in this case, is recommended to help maintain the pace of play.

Triple-Bogey Maximum - UCFGA Rule #4

To maintain the pace of play, UCFGA has a maximum triple-bogey rule in effect for each round. If a player does not hole out on their stroke for double-bogey (+2), the ball must be picked up and a triple bogey (+3) must be scored for that hole. The maximum number of strokes played on each hole is:

Par-5 Holes: Seven (7) strokes

Par-4 Holes: Six (6) strokes

Par-3 Holes: Five (5) strokes

Tree Root Rule - UCFGA Rule #5

A new UCFGA rule for 2017, players may move their ball off or near a tree root with no penalty if striking the ball could cause injury to the player or damage to the player’s equipment. This rule is for tree roots only and does not include pampas grass, tall weeds or other vegetation. For non-tree root situations, a player may take an unplayable lie and a one (1) stroke penalty.